The Problem

Liquid hazardous materials such as petroleum products, antifreeze, and
solvents can present a threat to soil, ground water, and surface water if accidentally spilled or leaked. These substances must be stored so that if
a spill or leak occurs the material remains contained and does not enter the environment. A solution to the problem is to use secondary containment when storing hazardous liquids.

Regulatory Requirements

The Thurston County Nonpoint Source Pollution Ordinance (Article
VI[PDF] of the Sanitary Code) requires that hazardous materials and wastes,
including petroleum products, be stored so that if a container leaks or ruptures the contents will not contaminate ground or surface water. The best way to
ensure this is to provide secondary containment for all containers of liquid hazardous products and wastes.

The Thurston County Critical Areas Ordinance Chapter 17.15.520 C(2) also requires businesses that are located in aquifer recharge areas to provide
secondary containment for hazardous materials that are stored on-site.

The Thurston County Mineral Extraction Code requires that fuel and hazardous materials are stored according to the requirements of the Nonpoint Source
Pollution Ordinance. The Department of Ecology requires coverage and containment of hazardous materials through the “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Waste Discharge General Permit for Process Water and Stormwater Associated with Sand and Gravel Operations and Asphalt Batch Operations” RCW Chapter 90.48.

What is Secondary Containment?

Secondary containment is a liquid-tight barrier that will contain hazardous materials that are released from a storage container. A simple
example of secondary containment is placement of a 5-gallon drum (primary containment) inside a 55-gallon drum (secondary containment). Another example is
placement of 55-gallon drums or a large fuel tank (primary containment) inside a liquid-tight concrete bunker (secondary containment). The outer wall of a
double-walled fuel storage tank is also an example of secondary containment.

The size and design of a secondary containment unit or device depends on the type and amount of material that it holds.

The Options

Stored indoors on a liquid-tight concrete floor without secondary containment if the storage area is able to contain 100 percent of the
largest container in the event of a spill and prevent it from flowing or leaking out of the building. In addition, spilled or leaked materials must
be prevented from entering floor drains that are not part of a liquid-tight containment system designed to capture and hold hazardous materials.

Stored in outdoor or indoor covered secondary containment that can hold 110 percent of the volume of the largest storage container or 10 percent of
the total volume stored, whichever is greatest, plus the displacement volume of any items inside the containment.

Stored in outdoor uncovered secondary containment that can hold 120 percent of the volume of the largest storage container or 10 percent of the
total volume stored, whichever is greatest, plus the displacement volume of any items inside the containment. Uncovered containment is not generally recommended (see below).

Stored in UL-certified double-walled storage tanks. The volume requirements that are listed in options 1, 2, and 3 do not apply to these
storage tanks, because they do not require additional containment provisions.

Secondary Containment Criteria

Chemical Compatibility and Structural Integrity

The structural materials used in secondary containment units, including expansion joints and seals (if applicable) must be chemically compatible with the substance(s) that will be contained.

Secondary containment must be maintained liquid-tight at all times.

Secondary containment must be physically adequate to hold a release and remain liquid-tight.

Stormwater Accumulation and Discharge

All stormwater that accumulates in outdoor uncovered secondary containment must be managed in accordance with the Thurston County Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual.

Outdoor uncovered containments must be maintained free of stormwater accumulation.

An operator must be present during stormwater discharge from secondary containment.

All discharge valves must be closed and locked after a supervised discharge is completed.

Stormwater discharged from petroleum product secondary containment must be treated through an oil/water separator or handled as hazardous waste. See
the hazardous waste fact sheet, Oil/Water Separators[PDF].

Spills

Keep secondary containment areas free of small spills and drips. Drip pans that can be conveniently cleaned are helpful in preventing contamination of the secondary containment area.

Hazardous materials, liquid hazardous waste and petroleum product spills must be cleaned up immediately. Remember that even a small spill, drip, or leak
must be cleaned up and disposed of as a hazardous waste. Absorbents and other cleanup materials that are contaminated must also be managed as a
hazardous waste. Up to 55 gallons of petroleum-contaminated absorbent materials may be disposed at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center annually, as
explained in the fact sheet Managing Used Shop Towels and Contaminated Absorbent Materials [PDF].